Bill would require safety checks every other year. (Kailua, Waimanalo: 2015, inspections)

[ScottStielow]

Story.
Some lawmakers are trying to change the law so drivers wouldn’t need it as often.
“It’s so hard to get a safety check these days. I waited in line for over a week over on the windward side trying to get one even scheduled,” said Rep. Chris Lee, D-Kailua, Lanikai, Waimanalo.
That’s why Lee introduced HB1089, which would require safety checks every other year.

The problem!! The cost of a safety check would change. It would be twice as much, since it would be required every two years. Right now, it costs about $19 plus tax. If the bill is passed, that fee would increase to roughly $38 plus tax.

I do not think it is worth it. Just because one Rep said it was hard to get a safety check and waited for over a week to get one scheduled. Personally I have not had any problem getting a safety check. Of course I know others feel different. Here is the link.

Bill would require safety checks every other year | KHON2

[bruddah]

I have no issues getting a safety check. I go to a drive up station and have not waited more than 15 min. Personally I think the safety check is a joke with stupid rules. I see all kinds of cars with expired stickers. It looks like the police don't really pay much attention to expired tags, registration or license plates around here.

[whtviper1]

Interesting the representative from Kailua needed a week for a safety.

A few weeks ago I called RNS Automotive in Kailua at 12:00 - asked when I could come in, they said, how about 1 hour. Pulled up, no wait - out in 15 minutes.

[pj737]

Total no brainer. Change it to once every two years. I will gladly pay double to not have to go through the trouble twice and end up paying the exact same amount. Why is this even a question?

[hotzcatz]

Precisely! Worth it to pay for two years at a time to skip the bother of doing it every year.

We have one station in town that does inspections, but only with an appointment these days and generally only in the mornings, too. Otherwise we have to drive ten or fifteen miles to get to the next inspection station.

[hawaiian by heart]

Im intrigued, why would you double charge for the same service? Are they doing twice the original labor? I understand the loss of business going to two years vs every year and wanting to make it up, but the thinking on this is foriegn to me. Its sounds like an entitlement to expect to make profit. Anyway profit and the business aspects aside. I would also agree, i wouldn't mind paying twice the amount to do something every other year and making it more convenient to just enjoy my day to day life in paradise.

[honobob]

Why not offer it at half price, $8.50 but require the inspection every 6 months? At least the vehicles would be twice as safe for less money.

[ScottStielow]

I believe the safety rate should remain the same, $19.00 every two years, if they go that route. The shops are not going to do anything different during the inspection. The State is just trying to make more revenue.

[pj737]

Originally Posted by ScottStielow

I believe the safety rate should remain the same, $19.00 every two years, if they go that route. The shops are not going to do anything different during the inspection. The State is just trying to make more revenue.

Of course they are. But who cares? We pay the same with half the hassle. The guys riding around unsafe/unpassable cars just steal the stickers off other cars anyway. The program is a joke. If anything, inspection shops should have inexpensive hand-held decibel readers to test how load people's exhaust systems are. Hopefully make it harder for those that drive/ride ridiculous clown cars and insanely annoying Harley's to be on the road.

[Dthraco]

Hmmm....sound like bait and switch....

Raise the price. Get us used to it. Then switch it back to once a year for the same price - because of all the 'safety' concerns.

I agree that it seems like cops don't really care mich about the stickers....unless you are driving in a sting area.

I see sooo many illegal tint jobs it's crazy.

It's waaaaay too easy to get a safety inspection, and takes little time.